Metamorphoses, Alterations, & Transformations

Nights Like These

2007-07-21T21:47:00.000-05:00

Last night and tonight have been absolutely perfect weather wise. July is normally the hottest time of year. But the last two nights have been in the 60-70 degree range and perfectly clear. The crescent moon and stars can be easily seen and there is a gentle breeze blowing. I love to sit on my deck, take walks, or take drives with the windows and moon roof wide open. A lot of people prefer the weather a little warmer than me, but these are the perfect July nights, they remind me of Autumn and Spring, which are my favorite months.

Why I Chose and Love Being a Teacher......

2007-07-12T20:48:00.000-05:00

Summer vacation of course. I can't imagine having a regular job without two months off in the summer. Yes I said two. Most people are under the impression that it is 3 months, but somewhere along the way it has become 2 months and sometimes a week off. It seems to get shorter every year. The school board wants to add 10 days to the school year, well that is 2 work weeks. Then they want to have professional developments and mandatory records days, that never get used for that they make you spend the whole day in a training of some sort. This is the first year in a very long time that I have not taught summer school or been going to school for a graduate degree. It feels great! I have spent most of my summer traveling. No big trips, but lots of smaller ones. More to come on those trips soon.

Good Deed for the Day

2007-07-12T20:46:00.000-05:00

I rescued a lost dog today. Ellie went running past my yard on the sidewalk, I just caught a glimpse of her. I went on pruning and watering then I saw the dog almost get hit in the road. I whistled but she was going the other direction and ran down a hill behind some of the other townhouses. I then heard the construction workers trying to coax the dog, so I thought maybe she belonged to them. I went on about my business and about 10 minutes later the dog came running up to me. So I took her in the house, looked at her tag and called one of the 4 numbers. Yes two addresses and 4 phone numbers. I got the owner's daughter (they are really old). She couldn't get a hold of her parents because she was sure they were out looking for Ellie. She said she would drive across town and get the dog, but then the the female owner called two different times for directions.........they live off the main road out there Winthrop. I told them to make three left turns naming each street. Well I walked outside and the guy is 1 house down asking some guy directions. And the guy couldn't help him......I yelled is he looking for a lost dog and then took the dog over there. Now the lady on the phone kept saying over and over do we turn on Amber Street. And I told her three times that was my name and repeated the directions. Somehow I feel I might see Ellie again, because the daughter says she gets out all the time and I think the owners are senile.

Daddy Time

2007-03-05T22:13:00.000-05:00

I haven't called my dad, "daddy" for years, but he will always be my "daddy." For years I couldn't remember any time I had alone with my Dad-just me and him. There is almost always someone else around when I see him, which is fine, but sometimes I crave alone time with him. I think it is because I relate to him much better that way. Although I like my current step-mom, it just always seems that step-moms change and influence him in subtle ways and he is just slightly different when they are around, even if he is only talking to me on the phone (and most of the time on the phone my dad is exhausted from his long hours at work). I don't mind at all if my brother is around when I see my dad, but there is still nothing like a little undivided attention from my dad. I have never been able to find a good way to bring up the fact that I would like some alone time with my dad without hurting anyone's feelings. I am afraid to tell him that he is somehow just a little different (more understanding, and approachable with any subject) when he without the step-mom) my grandma, his mother, has even said the same thing to me about the situation. Several years ago I tried to plan an outing with just him, to an out of town hockey game, and that didn't go over well because I left out step-mom. I guess I didn't go about it the right way, or maybe it was just down right rude, but it wasn't intended to be. See my step-sister gets time alone with her mom quite often when she visits them and my dad is at work or when her mom visits her where she lives and my dad can't go because he has to work. I know they don't plan it that way, but it just happens by chance more frequently, so I guess they wouldn't understand why I would want time alone with my dad without being rude.
Anyway, I got some alone time twice in the past few months. Once was when I went and picked up my dad for Thanksgiving dinner at my house and my step-mom couldn't make it because of work. I got almost 3 hours of alone time, woo-hoo! Yesterday I also got to meet my dad for a brief lunch as he was passing through town on his way to Ohio for a training, I had picked up a special order coat for him and he needed to get that from me. We went to Cracker Barrel, which was special because he used to visit me and my brother every Wednesday (his day off) when we were in college and take us out for brunch at Cracker Barrel. Yesterday reminded me of the good old times. What a lovely day.

Amazon Profits

2007-03-03T21:20:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update, I am up to $145 on my book sales at Amazon.com.
I have gotten busy again and haven't posted much. The personal trainer is kicking my butt. She had me running up and down the stairs at the gym on Wed. Along with squats, lunges and crunches......uggg. I can't see a lot of results yet, but my friend Marsha (also my massage lady) says she can tell I have lost weight in my back, which she has a very intimate relationship with!!! I do feel better, so that is a plus. I just need to start going a little more often. That's all for now.

Gotta Love Amazon.com

2007-02-18T19:25:00.000-05:00

OK, so usually I end up throwing all my read and used books into the bin at Good Will or giving them away at a yard sale. I tried something new last night, since I and my brother have been buying used books at amazon.com lately. I listed about 18 books for sale trying to price them as the lowest in the category they fit (new, used-good, etc.) to compete with the other people selling. Some of these books I have had for several years and never touched. For Example: Arabic Verbs & Essential Grammar. I wasn't sure if it would sell, but sure enough it did. So far in the 12 hours or so since I listed my books, I have sold 3 for a grand total of $22.60. That isn't bad considering I get so much for postage. All I have to do is put them in an envelope and take them to the post office. I am well on my way to paying for my weekend DVD purchases with this new book gig. Not to shabby considering the alternative of nothing at Good Will, since I never ask for a receipt for tax purposes. In fact you all know me, I usually dump things in the bin late at night when the place is closed. There were a few books that it wouldn't have been worth my while to sell due to the low prices on amazon (competition) and postage, so if anyone is interested in San Francisco, by Thomas Cook or The Complete Idiot's Guide to San Francisco & The Wine Country, or The United States of Europe, just let me know.

Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T21:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all! I must say almost every Valentine's Day in my life has been a disappointment. The one that stands out as not being a disappointment is the one where my father sent me flowers when I was in the second grade. I still have the card that came with the flowers tucked away in my baby book. I went through this phase where I was obsessed with flowers and always wanted to stop at the florist. My parents obliged me often and whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would tell them a florist. A florist was a big step up since my previous answer had been, a cashier. I always thought it would be so neat to push all those buttons on the cash register. How embarrassing that answer must have been for my parents. I must admit I am jealous of kids today who have mini cash registers to play with, we didn't have them when I was growing up. I caught myself playing with one the other day with my little 2-year-old friend Kylie. The credit card swiper is so cool! My dad is the best, he aslo sent me flowers several times for my birthday when I was in high school and college. The notes were always so sweet, one read "Happy Birthday, I will miss you when you go away to college next year." I guess my dad will always be my valentine. I hope that doesn't sound too lame. I seriously doubt my Egyptian honey knows when Valentine's Day is, and I am not the type to announce those types of things-I figure if you have to announce that is like asking for something, which defeats the purpose of the holiday to me.

Children Can Cure What Ails You

2007-02-10T00:40:00.000-05:00

Today was a crappy day until evening. My head had hurt all day and the night before, I was having sinus troubles, had a lot of caffeine (which I gave up a couple of years ago except for maybe a coke once a week) which makes me stressed and high strung, had a reaction to my allergy shot, didn't eat enough for lunch and my blood sugar bottomed out due to a medication I take, and I am pretty sure I am suffering from PMS. So I made plans anyway to get out of the house and have some girl talk time with my friend Tonya. She needed my help with taking the girls to Gatti Town (pizza/arcade/ride place since her husband was out of town. Well I had only communicated through email to make the evening plans, so Tonya had no idea I was ailing so terribly. I got in the car and within 5 seconds she was asking what was wrong with me. I told her everything and she stopped the car and nearly took me home afraid I shouldn't go out. I told her no, we were going. Well I felt completely better within 5 minutes of being in the car with Kylie (almost 3) and Adison (10 months). I was making faces and jokes with Kylie and trying to give Adison a bottle as we were driving down the road. We also rode the carousel twice. It is amazing what kids can do for the soul. Can't wait to have some of my own one day, but geez they wear me out.

Let it snow........

2007-02-07T16:19:00.000-05:00

After several years of NO snow days off from school we have had 3 days off in the last few days, including today. What's with the weather lately. We have been in the teens and even some single digits with below zero wind chills for about 2 weeks. We got a snow day about two weeks ago, that really wasn't necessary at all. Then we should have had one a few days later and we did not, it was really dangerous driving to work. Parents complained of the danger and then we got this Monday off, which was nice, but not necessary. Yesterday we went half the day and got out early because a snow storm moved in earlier than expected. Today we also got the day off. We are now up to 2 days we have to make up in the summer. It has been nice but they are getting a little carried away. I don't think we had a snow day in several years since the big ice storm of '02, when we got a week off because no one had electricity, that week was nice because we got to call it an "emergency" and didn't have to make up the days at the end of the year. These snow days this year have all been for less than an inch of snow. I miss the days of the early and mid nineties when we had several big snows of 2 feet or more. Darn this global warming!

IPOD & Song Memories

2007-02-06T18:05:00.000-05:00

My dad got me an IPOD for Christmas and I absolutely love it. I had never seen one up close, or even had a remote idea of how to use one. My dad's partners used them in the Operating Rooms apparently you can just stick them into a base with speakers and they can act as your stereo. I don't have one of those yet. My brother plugs some old computer speakers into his and has a stereo in his room. So far I have 316 songs loaded on mine and it isn't even half full yet. I take it to the gym to use when I work out, if I don't want to plug the earphones in and watch TV. I lay in bed at night and listen to music. The best part is I can plug mine directly into the car because my new car is equipped with an outlet in the arm rest. That's right, I have taken my favorite songs from my Cd's and put them on my IPOD, not more toting CD's everywhere or changing them out! I also love my Sirius Satellite Radio. Most everyone knows how important music is too me. My favorite Satellite station............why Hair Nation of course! All the hair bands of the late 80's to Early 90's, I also love the 80's, 90's & now, Alt. Nation, and Octane! Kim L. M.'s one of my good friends growing loves Alt. Nation and Octane as well, in fact she is the one who got me interested in satellite radio when I went to Florida to visit her this summer. Thanks for driving to play putt putt with me Dave! Why do all my friends move so far away? I have 3 in Florida and one in California, just for starters. Anyway that is off the topic. I plugged in my IPOD and listened as I watched the news and paused the IPOD when there was something I wanted to hear. Oh how the songs brought back memories. I heard Chris Issac's "Wicked Game" and it took me back immediately to the early 90's, it was '90 or '91 and I remember it playing on the radio on a cold snowy February night as my friend Jessie and a few of our other friend's were piled in her mom's car where we were being dropped off at Joe Bologna's to celebrate her 16th? birthday I believe. Ain't it grand how music can just take you back, or am I the only one it does that to? I had another story of a song that took me back, but then I just don't know if I want that story immortalized forever on here, vote and let me know if you want to hear it the song was from the album "Night Songs" by Cinderella. One last thought is that a not widely so widely known song titled "I Saw Red" by Warrant always makes me remember sitting in the living room watching TV at my teenage friend Jessie's home, I think it is because the video came on TV once while we were sitting there talking one night during a sleep over. So my friends what songs hold memories for you? I could write a whole book on the memories that songs hold for me.

Working on the Changes

2007-02-04T14:27:00.000-05:00

What have I been up to lately? I have been working on being positive about my job, even though I don't like it very much. It is better than before, but I am starting to look for something in ESL again next year. I also joined the gym again to try and get my butt back into decent shape. I couldn't really afford the next item, but I felt it had to be done-I hired a personal trainer at the gym once a week. That has been kicking my butt. I have been so tired and hurting in places I didn't know I had, but I am already starting to feel better again. I am not seeing any results yet, but I have only been at it 2 weeks. I got my taxes finished last night, yea! I am proud to say that I have been doing them on my own or with my dad's help since I was 18. I also have a Spring Break trip to Jordan planned. I just finished making arrangements for 4x4ing in Wadi Rum and a camel ride through, plus a night in a bedouin tent or out under the stars, however I prefer. Hopefully this camel trek will be better than the last on e in Egypt, for those of you that know that story! Haven't told the family yet, just because I didn't want them to spend months worrying, I figured I would just give them a week or two closer to the trip and I don't want to hear about it.....at least they got their wish and talked me into not to moving there. Check out some of it if you want: http://www.bedouinroads.com/

Why Can't I seem to post all the time

2007-02-04T14:20:00.000-05:00

Ok, my hairdresser Rodney, whom I am good friends with was asking me yesterday as he did my hair why I hadn't posted on my blog in a long time. I had no answer except I had been busy. But sometimes I just don't have anything to say or I can't think of anything to write about. Then I felt guilty because my other friend Jessie writes and attaches photos to her blog all the time, but then I decided that she has more things to talk about, especially her kids, so I cut myself more slack. Also, the first time I did my blog, I only had one person that read it all the time, but it does appear that I have more readers now, but maybe I lost them again. I will try to do better folks! If you are still there.

What a day, but I'm not down

2006-12-13T23:24:00.000-05:00

Today I went to work and I was very perky and happy at 7am (everyone knows I'm not a morning person. Well 30 minutes later I was sick as a dog. I was throwing up all day. To top it off my year long project was a not a success, but only it was oh so close, so I will fix it. It turns out that it might be better for me that it wasn't a go. So I guess the good Lord knows what he is doing after all. Not the best day in the world, but I am making it do.

Keep a Positive Attitude

2006-12-12T22:19:00.000-05:00

The last year or so I have been working hard to stop cursing and to have a more positive attitude (I can't believe how angry I used to be, and that my friends actually put up with it). Can anyone tell me why you did put up with it? I have also noticed that I didn't have quite the harsh personality with certain individuals and I am also at a loss for why. Do you think it is because I knew them before I was old enough to let my anger out instead of hiding it and bottling it up inside? Or could it have been that they just counterbalanced that part of me, or both? For those who really know me I would love to have some real input. You know how I lay awake at night and contemplate the craziest things! Anyway, I wanted to get on my blog and complain tonight, but in order to transform myself I feel I should be positive. So I made a list of positive thoughts or things to mention today. I am so glad that I finally own my own home! I am also glad that my brother ended up living with me for the time being, even though it was by accident, it has given us the chance to save some money and reconnect, we have always been close, but the business of our lives the last few years had distanced us some. Even though I don't like my present job that much, I am glad that I have a job to go to everyday. I am so tired of being fat(due to a medical condition) but at least my belly is full of great food every night. Finally, I am thankful that I finally got my medical diagnosis this past year that explained quite a few of my health issues, not just being overweight. Try to think positive about all your problems as well. If anyone reads this the night I wrote it, then please send out a special prayer for me. Tomorrow I will either get really good news or really bad news about a project that consumed over a year of my life! Remember-BE GOOD, OR BE GOOD AT IT.

Changes

2006-12-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

This year I thought I would be in a totally different place in my life. I wanted a grand and bold life change last year and I spent a lot of time and dreaming to make that change. I was set to move overseas to Amman, Jordan and begin a new life. For several reasons, none being my own will, I did not end up in Jordan. I am bored in life and I don't really enjoy my current job that I took a the last minute after resigning my position in Amman. My life is okay at the moment, but it just isn't what I thought it would be at this point in my journey on the planet. I realized this (again) this morning after reconnecting with a dear old friend and reading her blog. I decided to begin again, I needed a new blog to begin fresh. The old one is literally too dark. My life hasn't always been the best at times and I don't like part of the person that I have become. I need to make some personality, career, and other changes to my life. I feel that some will only be slight alterations, others will be transformations and hopefully in the end I will go through one or more metamorphoses and come out of the chrysalises where and who I want to be! Wish me luck and support me along the way.